Yangon, Sep 27 (V7N) – The military-backed State Administration Council (SAC), which has ruled Myanmar since ousting Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government in a February 2021 coup, has called on rebel groups to lay down their arms and engage in political dialogue. The SAC's appeal comes as the country continues to experience violence, with armed ethnic groups and the People's Defense Force (PDF) fighting the military.

The SAC's invitation, published through state-controlled media Global Newlight of Myanmar on Friday, urged small ethnic armed groups and PDF forces to negotiate a political solution, calling their actions a "terrorist approach." The junta said the dialogue aims to foster sustainable peace and development through political and electoral processes rather than violence.

However, the rebel groups swiftly rejected the call. The National Unity Government (NUG), made up of lawmakers from Suu Kyi’s government, also dismissed the proposal. Ne Phon Lat, an NUG spokesperson, emphasized that the junta’s offer is not worth considering. The PDF, established by the NUG after brutal crackdowns on protesters following the coup, continues to fight alongside ethnic armed groups.

Since the military coup, violence has escalated across Myanmar. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, an observer group, reports that at least 5,706 people have been killed by the military, with 21,000 people arrested. UN investigators have also raised alarms over increasing war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Myanmar military.

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